Got to learn about the new Banh Mi Xin Chao whilst scrolling around social media one day — there was a point in time where Banh Mi specialty shops have been opening all across the island, though it does seem that the trend has slowed down quite a fair bit with the passing of time. Banh Mi Xin Chao is actually located within the second floor of Parklane Shopping Mall situated along Selegie Road; these folks occupy a shop unit that is located right across from the older space of Isle Eating House within the mall. Paying attention to the marketing collaterals within the establishment, it does seem that these folks are related to that of Miss Saigon at both Orchard Plaza and Fortune Centre and Banh Mi Saigon that is located at Ang Mo Kio — a check with the lady manning the store alone confirmed this to be the case. Nonetheless, Banh Mi Xin Chao is probably the largest of all of the concepts that they run; the store does look deceptively like a hole-in-the-wall but turns out to be way deeper as one walks past the counter — the vibes at Banh Mi Xin Chao seems to be much closer to that of a street-side Vietnamese eatery than their other locations considering the use of small-sized plastic chairs and complimenting low plastic tables coming in a shade of bright red. One can find the use of rattan decorative elements being hung on its walls as well as from the ceilings that gives the establishment a further Vietnamese flair, while one can also find a mobile food cart around the area of the counter which doubles up as the food preparation area as well. Tables within the dining hall of Banh Mi Xin Chao are configured to accommodate to patrons dining in in pairs or groups of four (4) pax; the larger tables being situated towards the back of the entire shop unit past the counter. The food menu at Banh Mi Xin Chao remains largely similar to that of what Miss Saigon offers — whilst the central focus at Banh Mi Xin Chao will be on their Banh Mi offerings which features a line-up of Banh Mi similar to what is being served up at Miss Saigon and Banh Mi Saigon, Banh Mi Xin Chao also offers a variety of other dishes such as noodle soups, glutinous rice and fried snacks; just to name a few. Beverages available at Banh Mi Xin Chao includes a selection of tea as well as Vietnamese-style coffee and others.

Whilst the way the menu is being visually designed is pretty telling of Banh Mi Xin Chao’s relations with Miss Saigon / Banh Mi Saigon, it is the way that the Banh Mi is being presented that pretty much cemented the fact for us — there aren’t many stalls serving up Banh Mi that stuffs their baguette to an extent that it seems to be bursting from everything that comes in between; our order of the Pork Dumpling Banh Mi was stuffed to the point that we were told that it was being served on a plate with the usual paper bag being lined at the bottom as it just wouldn’t fit into the paper bag. This does certainly speaks about the generosity of the ingredients that comes with the Banh Mi that they serve up. Banh Mi Xin Chao does not describe on the elements that their dishes features on their menu; that being said, it can be observed that the Pork Dumpling Banh Mi comes with eight (8) pieces of pork meatballs which is being referred to as the Pork Dumpling — one can also find picked vegetables, sliced chilies and coriander that is lined at the bottom of the baguette. The baguette also does seem to come spread with a pate, while the sandwich is topped off with a relish comprising of spring onion that is pretty much a feature of Banh Mi served up by Miss Saigon / Banh Mi Saigon. We liked how the Banh Mi here is toasted to a crisp texture but yet carrying a a tension to chew apart being slightly softer on the insides — this meant that one is less likely to get their gums cut from sharp edges of the baguette; something that certain establishments don’t seem to manage well with their rendition of the Banh Mi. The pork dumplings do look like pretty firm meatballs on first look, but these were surprisingly juicy and tender not needing much effort to chew through; they seem to have been lightly marinated which also kinda explains the slightly pinkish hue that it carries — meaty but without an undesirable porky stench at the same time. There is a surprising portion of pickled carrots and radishes that comes along at the bottom considering the amount of meat that the baguette already comes with; this adds a corresponding hint of sweetness and tanginess to the sandwich — gives a refreshing crunch whilst at it while the addition of coriander and chili does add some contrast of flavours to the entire sandwich with the chili giving that slight kick of spiciness to tickle the tastebuds as one chews onto it. The addition of the relish over the top is something that seems to get us all the time — this is the element that helps to give the entire baguette that moisture to gel everything together.

Whilst we had made visits to all existing Banh Mi Saigon’s and Miss Saigon establishments before our visit to Banh Mi Xin Chao, one item that we have yet to try from them would be the Vietnamese Fried Banana. It does seem like the folks behind Miss Saigon / Banh Mi Saigon / Banh Mi Xin Chao are pretty obsessed with serving up their dishes in bigger portions to their patrons; their Vietnamese Fried Banana is being sold by number of pieces and each piece does come thicker and longer than most other Vietnamese Fried Banana offerings that are retailed by other Vietnamese dining establishments that serve them. Unlike the Thai-style Fried Banana or local-style Goreng Pisang where one is likely to find actual chunks or slices of banana within the fried batter, the Vietnamese-style Fried Banana comes closer to the likes of fried dough fritters that we are more used to seeing coming alongside congee though featuring a batter that is thicker and crunchier that is infused with banana — the fried banana coming with an airy interior. The Vietnamese Fried Banana is fried to golden-brown perfection here; crunchy and carrying light whiffs of sweetness from the banana throughout — the Vietnamese Fried Banana also maintaining its crisp texture without feeling particularly greasy or soaked in oil even after being left at the table for a while. A visit to a Vietnamese dining establishment is never considered complete if one does not give the Vietnamese Iced Milk Coffee a try; their Vietnamese Iced Milk Coffee comes all thick with a heavy body whilst coming with a good proportion of condensed milk to give it sufficient sweetness to go along with— definitely carried that chocolate-esque flavour profile that we are looking for that is sweet enough with a caffeinated kick that we especially yearn for whenever we are having a Banh Mi.

Knowing that Banh Mi Xin Chao is an establishment that is by the same folks behind Miss Saigon / Banh Mi Saigon, there is definitely a minimum expectation of the quality of food that is being served up at Banh Mi Xin Chao; after all, Miss Saigon / Banh Mi Saigon can be described as the holy grail of Banh Mi for some in the island — a statement of which that we also definitely agree upon wine there isn’t quite a Banh Mi around that comes as close in its flavours and portion size. With this in mind, Banh Mi Xin Chao certainly didn’t disappoint — they definitely do live up to the expectations of what one would expect from Miss Saigon / Banh Mi Saigon; the Pork Dumpling Banh Mi being both big in size and big on taste that very much flips the perspective of some whom feel that Vietnamese fare often taste a little too clean and healthy. Banh Mi Xin Chao also follows the same exact style of operations as Miss Saigon at Orchard Towers; Banh Mi Xin Chao is open daily for 24 hours — definitely a spot that one can consider for a late night supper especially considering the vast number of seating that this outlet has in comparison to Miss Saigon at Orchard Towers that has very limited seats in a rather claustrophobic setting. For folks whom have been following Miss Saigon and Banh Mi Saigon all these years, Banh Mi Xin Chao is an establishment that stays true to the roots of Banh Mi Saigon when they had first started out in Ang Mo Kio and is definitely worth the visit whether or not it is to try old favourites or something new that one has yet to try at Miss Saigon / Banh Mi Saigon. For those who have yet to give Miss Saigon and Banh Mi Saigon a go till date — perhaps this would be the best time to do so. Would like to take this opportunity to congratulate these folks on the opening of their newest concept, and wishing them all the best in what is to come!